Carer took £13k from pensioner with dementia

Ashleigh Galbraith pocketed and forged her elderly charge’s cheques over 13 months.

Her thefts came to light after the pensioner’s niece got power of attorney to handle his affairs and saw large sums taken from his account.
Galbraith, 24, of Windward Avenue, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to four offences of fraud and asked for eight similar offences to be considered.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said Galbraith had breached the trust of a vulnerable victim and asked for her to be sentenced by a judge at crown court.

Galbraith was bailed to appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on March 9 by Blackpool magistrates. She must not work in a professional capacity as a carer as a condition of her bail.

The prosecutor, said Galbraith had worked at the pensioner’s home in Staining.
The pensioner had been diagnosed with dementia three years ago after forgetting where he was driving to.

Galbraith visited the pensioner’s home twice a day to give him care to enable him to remain in his own home.

In August last year the pensioner’s niece got power of attorney over his affairs. She saw large sums had been withdrawn from his account and contacted the bank which said the money had gone to Galbraith.

Between June 1 2014 and March 16 last year Galbraith had taken cheques, forged the pensioner’s signature and made them out to herself.

When questioned, she told police she was low on money.